*Billy has made a complete transformation! He came to the Ranch when he was seven years old. He was nonverbal and had frequent aggressive outbursts. Kimberly Vaskor, housemother at Spruce Tree House, said, “When I would take him to school, I’d have to peel him off my leg and hand him to the teacher. He would be there between 15 to 30 minutes, and I would get a call to come and get…
You’ve heard of student representative councils, but have you heard of the adult version? Ranch Ehrlo has an adult representative council (ARC) that is made up of all the adults who are participants in the Supported Living Programs. There are currently 81 participants in the programs. Shaun Silzer, program manager, said, “The purpose of the ARC is to provide representation by our…
Launched in 2013, the Ted and Loretta Rogers Foster Care Comfort Kit Program, through the Children's Aid Foundation of Canada, aims to significantly improve the experience of coming into foster care, kinship care, or customary care for children and youth across Canada. In partnership with over 20 child welfare agencies nationwide, this program provides backpacks stuffed with items and…
*Tommy was a self-confessed couch potato. He enjoyed just quietly playing video games. That has now all changed thanks to football. He started playing in November and hasn’t looked back. Scott Waters, program manager, said, “His level of confidence has significantly improved. He’s actually been able to speak in front of the group at home and speak in front of his…
In anticipation of attending a round dance in Regina, a staff member in the Family Centred Addiction Program (FCAP) decided to make traditional ribbon skirts for participants to wear to the event. Kellee Leader, family treatment worker, successfully made 14 ribbon skirts in nine hours! Deena Hall, clinical manager, said, “Through a sharing circle with an elder, we found out that the…
The Special Olympics has played an important part in the development of many Ranch Ehrlo participants over the years. This year a number of participants are honing their skills in Special Olympics bowling. *Jayden is trying bowling for the first time this year. “I go bowling on Saturdays. I’m trying to get used to five-pin but I’m managing to do it,” he said. Like all…
This is the third in a series of stories about a day in the life of staff at Ranch Ehrlo. Life is very busy but rewarding for Sarah Ovens, program manager at Frank May House at the Corman Park campus just outside of Saskatoon. “I love my job. I’m excited to come to work every day,” she said. When she arrives at the house in the morning, she talks with the night staff and…
Ranch Ehlo Society is seeking to obtain two important milestones this year. The CARE certification is scheduled for June, and the Council on Accreditation (COA) accreditation for the end of November. What is the difference between the two? According to Karl Mack, director of child and youth development and the CARE lead at the agency, “COA is a set of best practice standards that have…
Participants at Paper Crane have been hard at work using a new medium that is both artistic and functional. Paper Crane is an expressive arts service at Ranch Ehrlo that helps participants to express their thoughts and feelings and promotes their personal growth and healing. Participants use different tools and techniques so that everyone can create, regardless of what their artistic abilities…
This is the second in a series of stories about a day in the life of a staff member at Ranch Ehrlo Society. Kevin Mugford, former group living director, was responsible for the Buckland campus including its three homes, as well as the home in Prince Albert until his retirement at the end of December. When he started working at the Ranch in 2011, he planned to retire after a few years. “I…
This is a story about a day in the life of a Buckland house parent. It is also the first in a series of stories about the day in the life of staff in various positions and locations at Ranch Ehrlo Society. Andrew Brown is the housefather for Alex Guy House on Ranch Ehrlo’s Buckland campus outside of Prince Albert. Andrew works Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and…
Happy New Year! It’s been a busy year at the Ranch. We have continued to implement CARE across the agency in preparation for certification in 2023. We have also started the Council on Accreditation preparation for our next accreditation submission. Here are some other things that happened in 2022: Top employer! For the 11th consecutive year, Ranch Ehrlo Society has been named one of…
The holidays can be a difficult time for some families. Many of the families in Ranch Ehrlo’s family programs struggle with poverty, which can lead to disappointment and unmet hopes for children and stress and struggles for parents during the holiday season. “Poverty leads to challenges in having gifts or food during the holiday season,” explained family program director…
There were plenty of smiles in the Liske gymnasium at the Schaller Education Centre in Pilot Butte as everyone gathered for the Art from the Heart exhibition. It was a formal reception that was catered by the Schaller Education Centre’s cooking shop class. Participants from around Saskatchewan created beautiful artwork for the event. There were 16 pieces chosen to be featured in the…
On Thursday youth and staff at Buckland campus, outside of Prince Albert, gathered to officially open Pawson Place. Clinical, group living, and education staff joined youth to cut the ribbon. Pawson Place is a new gazebo area on the campus that was created as a place to relax and enjoy each others’ company. The gazebo has signage, lighting, and portable speakers for music, as well as…
